The Maybach 57 (chassis no. W240) and 62 (chassis no. V240) were the first automobile models of the Maybach brand since the brand's revival by DaimlerChrysler AG (now Daimler AG). They are derived from the Mercedes-Benz Maybachconcept car presented at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show. The concept car was based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan. The Luxury Brand Status Index 2008 voted the Maybach 1st place, ahead of Rolls-Royce and Bentley.
DaimlerChrysler AG attempted to buy the Rolls-Royce/Bentley marque when Vickers offered the company up for sale. When this attempt failed (they were outbid by Volkswagen, and BMW later exercised an option to acquire the Rolls-Royce car brand) they introduced the Maybach as a direct challenger in 2002, to the other companies' Bentley Arnage and BMW Rolls-Royce Phantom. On June 26, 2002, a Maybach 62 enclosed in a glass case on the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 departed from Southampton, England, en route to New York City with the media and company officials staying in the luxury suites on board. The Maybach 57 is the base designation and comes with 7 spoke, 19 inch wheels. Standard features for the Maybach 57 and 57 S include navigation system with voice recognition, air conditioning with 4-zone climate controls, remote engine start, power sunroof, front massaging seats, power front and rear seats with lumbar adjustment, leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats, rearview camera, premium sound system, 8-disc CD changer, power tilt/telescopic heated wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio and climate controls, and heated cupholders. The Maybach 62 and 62 S add on rear massaging seats, cooled rear seats, cooled cupholders, navigation controls on the steering wheel, and rear-seat DVD entertainment system. Daimler revealed the Maybach 57 S at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, with the S standing for "special." It uses a 6.0 L version of the V12 engine manufactured by Mercedes-AMG. Power output is 450 kilowatts (611.8 PS; 603.5 hp) and 738 lb·ft (1,001 N·m), providing a sub-5 second sprint to 60 miles per hour (97 km/h). It also rides 0.5 in (13 mm) lower on 20 inches (510 mm) wheels. The North American unveiling was at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006. The Maybach 62 includes many luxury features such as fully-reclining rear seats, Maybach 4 zone climate control, tinted-windows, infrared-reflecting laminated glass all round, AirMATIC dual control air suspension, display instruments in rear roof liner (showing speed, time and outside temperature), folding rear tables (left and right), BOSE Surround Everywhere sound system and a refrigerator compartment. The Maybach 62 also includes an array of additional features such as Cockpit Management and Navigation System (COMAND), which includes DVD navigation, CD changer in rear seats, DVD players and TV tuners front and rear, two rear LCD TV screens including remote control and two sets of headphones, and automatic closing doors. The Maybach 62 S appeared in November 2006 at the Auto China 2006 exhibit in Beijing. It features the same engine as the 57S, a 612 metric horsepower (450 kW) twin-turbo V12 made by Mercedes-Benz AMG. However, the suspension remains untouched.History
Both Maybach models are variants of the same ultra-luxurious automobile. The model numbers reflect the respective lengths of the automobiles in decimetres; the 57 is more likely to be owner-driven while the longer 62 is designed with achauffeur in mind. The engine is a Mercedes-sourced 5.5-litre twin-turbo V12, generating 405 kilowatts (550.6 PS; 543.1 hp).Introduction
The ship arrived in New York on July 2 along with geysering fireboats and a motor boat. A helicopter lifted the car off the liner and onto a dock. It was then driven to the Regent Hotel, Wall Street.Variants
Maybach 57
Luxury amenities
Maybach 57 S
Maybach 62
Even though the Maybach 62 has all these features included, optional extras are available. Some of these optional extras include a panoramic glass sun roof at a cost of $11,670 and an external communication system, which includes a loudspeaker and microphone system which allows the occupant in the rear of the Maybach to talk and listen to the people outside the car. This option comes at a cost of $1,780. A further option for the Maybach is a retractable electrotransparent partition screen between the driver and the rear occupants, at $23,780. The most expensive option for the Maybach is a high protection GUARD B4 Package which costs an additional $151,810.Maybach 62 S
